Making the transition from sea (selling the boat) to land with our three children (and cousins). We're shopping for a higher end travel trailer that will accommodate at times 3 adults and 5 children. I was very close to purchasing an Airstream, however made the decision to stop and really dig into my options. Our towing vehicle is a 2015 Chevy Suburban (up to 8,300 pounds).I'm looking for a higher end travel trailer with quality construction and modern interior. I'm looking for experienced recommendations! Any feedback will be very appreciated. A bunk configuration is a must have.

Your are indeed going to be needing a bunk model but it's going to be tough with only an 8K# capacity. That number is further reduced by any passengers and cargo you have in the Sub as well.Your realistically looking for a trailer that weighs no more than about 6000#.Any chance all the kids could sleep in tents? Then you could get a nice smaller unit with an outside kitchen to feed the masses.

Try looking at a Lance 2185 They're a quality unit with sleeping for 7

Depends on what you consider "higher end". If that means $30-$35K, take a look at the Forest River Rockwood line. We're very satisfied with ours. We got the "Windjammer" model, which I was not sold on at first due to the very different look. Sold on it now; much better aerodynamics, ie, better mpg, and best of all NO BUGS ON THE FRONT CAP! The wife likes the walk-in closet in the v-nose too.

I would suggest going to an RV show. That way you can look at all the models and brand you want.

With the burb keep it light IMO..Something like this.You can fit the whole familay around the table to eat and nit be stuck in a both type dinette.Also a table in the BH for the kids.6000 lbs 500 lbs hitch..After loading it and having a WD set up plus the occupents in the burb you should be fine..If you go too heavy you will not have fun towing and probably get over your axle rating very easily...Best to take the burb to the scale and have the axles weighed. Then compare that to your rear axle rating on the tag in the door sticker.That will tell you what you can tow...http://www.gagscamperway.com/rv/new/60637-0-2015-Jayco-Jay-Feather-X254.htm

Shopping for quality travel trailer for 8-10 | Good Sam Community

nomad297
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
richamor wrote:

I wonder how long it will take some idiot to run the engine to provide heat or A/C to the tent and kill everybody inside?

Bruce
richamor
Explorer
Aug 10, 2014
I can only agree with everyone else in that the Suburban is going to be the limiting factor. A smaller trailer and tents would be your best option, and that one may well be the preferred option by the kids. Maybe something like this?

from here:

http://www.campersland.com/spz13100.html
APT
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
Floorplan, floorplan, floorplan. Find the biggest RV dealer near you or wait for an RV show to narrow down what you like and don't like. Do not buy on the spot. Then look for a brand offering the one you like with the weight and amenities you can live with.

There are some brand new 2013 3/4 ton GM SUVs available.
hvac
Explorer
Aug 09, 2014
You may want to try Livin Lite, they are coming out with a 28 that might work for you. Real crude but built unlike any other and no wood we love ours. We had a brand new Airstream, and well a long story but be careful. We ordered this one with many custom alterations. In fact the 21 might be of interest, they offer a bunk model vs the full rear bath like ours. model.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Aug 09, 2014
Like others mentioned, go to as many RV shows as you can. You'll soon learn your likes/dislikes. The wife and I did that for about 6 months before buying our first trailer and it worked out well as we learned the trailers we liked early on were not what we liked after getting more education in what's out there. Good luck.
rugermark2
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
A PDI is Pre Delivery Inspection. They have a checklist on this web site that you can use.
pcjackson06
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
What is a PDI?
pcjackson06
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
I have the 2015 suburban with towing package. It's towing limit is 8,300. There is no 3/4 option and it's our vehicle so I'm shopping with those constraints.

I'm thinking the trailer can't be any heavier then 6,000 lb. With our car packed, 500lbs (in addition to driver) of passengers and 1,500 lb onboard of cargo, water, propane, I'm thinking we will be ok.

I'll continue researching towing capacity as some have mentioned.
Speedogomer
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Huntindog wrote:
MitchF150 wrote:
I hope you have a 2500 Burb??

Mitch

X 2.

Really NEED a 3/4 ton to have a number of options in the TT dept... The kids may be little now, but they will grow like weeds. Then you may find yourself in the truck and trailer market at the same time anyways. Better in the long run to just do it now.

There is no such thing as a 2015 Suburban 2500. If he has a 2015, he has a 1500.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Aug 08, 2014
Another comment by me.

Our first TT was a Dutchmen Sport, suppose to be 5K in weigh and was only 18 feet (box) and 24 feet long bumper to bumper. I towed it with a 1995 Chevy 1500 Suburban. It only took 6 months and the transmission was destroyed and had it replaced with a rebuilt transmission. The Burb never towed the same again. It lost power under a load, and it was awful. Even driving solo (no trailer), it still had issues and never drove like the original transmission again. We traded and got a 3500 gas Chevy Dully. This worked OK until we traded trailers later and went with a bigger trailer.

As folks stated above, with a Suburban, unless its 2500 or more, your very limited what you can tow.

I just remembered this after reading all the posts.

Click on my profile link (to the left from here) and see a photo of it.